Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Wind, She Did Blow

West End, Grand Bahama
January 17, 2016

What a difference a day makes! Saturday offered perfect crossing conditions with light and variable winds. Sunday served up a super storm.
Saturday: serene and flat calm in the breakwater
A gale warning was in effect, and the day started out breezy. That didn’t stop us from enjoying our first Bahamian breakfast of stewed fish at the Tiki Bar at Old Bahama Bay. By the time we paid up it was raining, but we decided to run for the boat. Halfway there, the wind kicked into high gear. Simultaneously the heavens broke open and dumped a deluge of blinding, drenching rain. We’d never been outdoors and exposed to such severe conditions. In mere seconds, we were soaked to the bone.
Sunday: raging seas in the breakwater
Wind gusts clocked in at 66 knots (73.6 miles per hour). If that velocity had been sustained, it would have been hurricane strength. Sustained winds were actually in the 50s, designated as a “storm,” the category between a gale and a hurricane. We quickly readjusted lines and fenders. As yesterday’s calm ocean now hurled turbulent waves onto shore and crashed into the breakwater, we were more than happy to be in a safe haven.

~~
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:29-30 NIV
~~

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